Soulful eyes, velvety snouts, delicate gaits.
It’s not hard to imagine how therapeutic being on the back of a gentle giant can be for anyone.
But, at Reining Strength they take this experience to the next level.
With their serene property tucked in the curve of Pecan Creek and neighboring the stately oaks of Jones Creek Park, a visit to their pristine facility is a retreat in its own right.
But, just beyond these gates and grassy pastures is where the magic happens.
Their massive, open-air covered arena with giant overhead fans lends a simplistic yet engaging space for riders with special needs and their support teams to aid in every aspect of horsemanship from grooming and tack, to ground work and slow trots.
Feeling the breeze in their face.
Feeling every step under foot.
Feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Nonverbal riders cue with glee. Young riders clap their hands in excitement. Mature riders’ eyes widen with a sense of accomplishment. Their support teams beaming with reassuring smiles.
A magical culmination of learning, growing, experiencing and building routines that extend far beyond the lesson itself.
Where physical limitations are met with strength-building routines. Where emotional walls are broken down with each smooth trot.
Co-Founder Heather Hernandez Sedillo first saw these transformations firsthand when she worked in youth programs for her social work degree at Texas Tech.
And, once back home in Richmond, she knew she wanted to open her own facility here alongside her parents, Thomas and Peggy Hernandez, and her husband RD Sedillo.
Compassion comes easy to Heather and her family. Heather smiles as she recalls her younger years with her uncle. As a person with autism, he and their family met more than their share of challenges. But, that never slowed him down for long, as he became one of the first to compete in the Special Olympics. And later in life, became a fan of horseback riding at Reining Strength as well.
She always knew she wanted to work with horses, and seeing how horse-led therapy sessions can enrich human lives, she knew that’s exactly what she wanted to do.
She explains, “it’s easy to motivate kids with horses, it doesn’t feel like therapy, it feels like fun.”
Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an approach that promotes emotional growth, personal growth and professional growth, in a wide variety of ways based on individual needs.
And with every unique rider comes a pairing with an equally diverse equine partner.
In addition to their human certified trainers and volunteers, each one of their 21 four-legged equine staff was hand-picked based on very special personality traits. They have to work hard, yet exemplify patience as they undergo continuous and extensive training to develop, and ready them for therapeutic horsemanship clients.
Longtime staff like Ice Man the striking pinto, Whinny the Norwegian Fjord and Keke the blue-eyed pony are all stunning sights to see, yet beyond those gazes lie a mind made for connection.
Heather says, “they’re prey animals, so they pick up on those instincts and emotions, making them easy to connect with while being honest, authentic and mirroring your own emotions. They’re very in tune with each rider, each trainer.”
Browsing through the barn you’ll see horses in every color and every size. Heather says they love curating a variety of breeds that meet the different needs of their riders. So while one stall might house a towering and majestic Fresian, next door you could see a pint-sized neighbor with just as big of a personality.
But, beyond the soft strokes and friendly demeanors, they know they have a job to do.
Working in 8-week increments, sessions might include increasing muscle tone, core strength, endurance, posture and coordination for riders with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, traumatic brain injuries or post-stroke therapies.
While sessions might highlight more physiological or social benefits like promoting independence, self control, spatial awareness, cooperation, positive reinforcement, interaction with others and fostering relationships for riders with anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, PTSD, Down syndrome or other intellectual or learning disabilities.
And building this special program has been a labor of love for Heather and RD, where they’re showcasing over 100 riders a week, or supporting their traveling show team that competes in big rodeos like Dallas, Houston and Fort Bend County, as well as hosting their annual Derby Day fundraiser, and their own Special Olympics events.
Reining Strength has always been more than a picturesque stable and flowing pastures, it’s built upon taking the reins and breaking free.
To learn more about Reining Strength’s services, horse shows, competitions and events or how to volunteer or donate, please visit ReiningStrength.org.
“It's easy to motivate kids with horses, it doesn’t feel like therapy, it feels like fun,” Heather says, explaining how horse-led therapy sessions can enrich human lives in a variety of ways.